Surfacing machine



Jan. 4, 1938. c TEMPLE 2,104,062

SURFAGING MACHINE Filed 001:. 28, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 1

FIG. 6.

/OH/V C TEMPLE.

4 INVENT OR.

z ATTORNEYS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 0

ATTORNEYS.

, Jan. 4, 1938. J. c. TEMPLE SURFACING MACHINE Filed Oct. 28, 1935 Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to a. surfacing machine for the cleaning, brushing, scaling, or painting of metallic surfaces.

One of the main features of the invention resides in a machine which utilizes electro-magnetic force for its support when the machine is in use for travel over vertical or inclined surfaces, for the cleaning, brushing, scaling, or painting of metallic surfaces, such as the sides of a sheet metal building, metal roofs, metal storage tanks, shlps hulls, and other like metallic structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for the above mentioned purposes which may be guided over the metallic surface to be cleaned or painted from a remote distance, which eliminates the costly practice of erecting scaffolding for the reaching of lofty and inaccessible surfaces.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a machine of the above mentioned character which relies upon a magnetic roller for tractive purposes and which magnetic roller adheres to the metallic surface with which it engages to operatively support the machine against the force of gravitation.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a magnetic roller which may be mounted stationary for use as a feeding means in the processing of metal sheets.

With theseand other cbiects in view, the invention resides in the certain novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the ac companying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the surfacing machine illustrating the same in use.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the surfacing machine on an enlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of one side of the machine with a portion broken away.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of that side opposite to that shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 8. 55 Figure 10 is a detail vertical sectional view showing the paint brush attachment feature of the work surfacing roller.

Figure 11 is a side elevational view showing the invention mounted on a stationary support for use as a conveyor of metallic sheets.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral l0 designates a substantially rectangular shaped chassis frame which supports a substantially rectangular shaped shell body ll, one side of which is open as at l2. The interior of the shell like body H is divided by a pair of spaced transverse partitions l3l3, into a pair of end compartments [4-44 and an intermediate compartment IS. The partitions l3--l3 extend slightly beyond the plane of the open side of the casing as shown in Figure 8, the projecting ends of which are bent in reverse angular directions to provide guards ii for shielding the compartment l5 from the surfacing elements housed within the compartments l4--l4 and which will be hereinafter fully described.

Rotatably mounted within the intermediate compartment l5 and journaled transversely of the chassis frame I0 is a magnetic traction roller H. The magnetic traction roller I l is composed of two substantially identical magnetic roller sections lB-IB. Each roller section l8 includes a central core l9 provided with an inner enlarged head 20. The core i9 is enclosed'within the magnetic winding 2 I, while the periphery of the head 20 and the windings are enclosed in an annular metallic tread 22. The tread 22 is secured to the head 20 by a set screw 23. The winding 2i of each roller section receives its current from a pair of collector rings 24 set in the outer end of the roller section and suitably insulated from the winding. Brushes 25 have wiping contact with the rings 24 and electric wires from the brushes 25 are lead to a junction box 26 mounted on the exterior of the shell body ll.

One of the roller sections i8 is rotatably mounted upon a tubular shaft 21 through which electric wires 28 pass to a pair of brush contacts 29 set in a disk of di-electric material 30 and which disk is interposed between a pair of metallic clutch plates 3l-3I carried by the inner surfaces of the adjacent heads 20-40 of the two roller sections. The brush contacts 29 supply current to the winding 32 which together with the plates 3l--3l constitutes a magnetic clutch. When the winding 32 is energized, the magnetized clutch plate will attract the other clutch plate 3|, causing the two roller sections I8--|8 to be joined and rotate as a unit. By shutting oil the supply of current to the winding 32, the

, gears 4| of the surface work elements 31.

' pinion 5! is in constant mesh with a pinion gear 56 magnetic clutch is deenergized, thus the roller sections l8-l8 may turn relative to each other to effect a differential between the two roller sections which is desirable when the machine is to be turned or guided over the metallic surface to be acted upon.

Whereas one of the roller sections I8 is mounted on a tubular shaft, the other roller section is mounted on a solid shaft 33, the outer end of which is yoke shaped as at 34, and is fixedly secured to the chassis frame ID as illustrated in Figure '1. The core l9 of the roller section mounted on the shaft 33 is formed with a reduced hub 35 which extends beyond a side wall of the shell like casing and has fixed thereto, a beveled gear 36.

Mounted within the end compartment l4--l4, are work surfacing elements 31-31. In the drawings, the elements 31 are identical so that a description of one will suffice for the other. Each element 31 includes a cylindrical drum 38, having a central tubular sleeve 39 through which a shaft" extends, the shaft 40 having its bearing in the chassis frame and easing. A cylindrical drum is fixed to the shaft 40 for turning movement therewith and the said shaft at one end, is provided with a beveled gear 4|. The

plane as the beveled gear 36 of the magnetic.

roller l1. v

The periphery of each drum is provided with a series of radially extending scraping elements 42, each of which includes a stud 43 extending radially through the periphery of the drum and which is keyed in position by key rods 144. The outer end of each stud 43 carries a plurality of chain sections 45, which are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force during rotation of the drum. The chain sections are adapted to strikingly contact the surface of the metallic plates being worked upon as is apparent by reference to Figure 8 of the drawings. Although the elements 31 have been shown as having scraping element on the periphery, by reference to Figure 10, it will be seen that brush members 46 may be loosely mounted in the drum and extend radially with respect to the axis of the drum so as to be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force for brushing the scale or surface dirt from the metallic surface to be worked upon, or for the spreading of paint. Mounted exteriorly upon the shell body II is an electric motor 41, the drive shaft of which is provided with a beveled gear 48 which is in constant meshing engagement with a pinion gear 49 fixed to one end of a shaft 50, the other end of the shaft carrying a beveled gear 5|. The shaft 5|] is mounted in bearings 52 disposed on that side of the casing from which the pinion gears 36 and 4i extend. Extending lengthwise of the machine and journaled in bearings 53 carried by the chassis frame I0, is a shaft 54, of which are provided with beveled gears 55 for meshing engagement with the respective beveled The fixed to the shaft 54. From the system of gearing so far described, it will be seen that the motor 41 when turned on, will effect a continuous rotation of the elements 31 in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 8. The-elements 31. although rotating simultaneously, turn inopposite directions, and their direction of rotation cannot be changed. However, it is desired to drive the magnetic traction roller in either direction in order to cause it to move up and down or back and forth over the surface to be acted upon. For this purpose, a tubular shaft 51 is provided with spaced opposed beveled gears 58, one of which may be engaged with the pinion 36, at a time. The splined shaft 51 is under the influence of a pair of electric solenoids 59, the wires from which lead to the junction box 26 hereinbefore mentioned. Thus it will be seen by energizing one of the solenoids 59, one of the gears 58 may be brought into meshing engagement with the beveled gear 36 and the reverse operation will occur upon energizing of the other solenoid. By this arrang'ement of magnetic gear shift, it is possible to selectively actuate the traction wheel 11 in either direction of rotation.

In Figure 1 of the drawings,'I have illustrated the machine in use upon a vertical metallic wall or surface designated by the numeral 60. Extending from the junction box 26 is a cable 6i which leads to a control switch 62 which may be held in the hand of an operator. The push buttons of the switch 62 may be actuated to selectively control the various electric circuits, such as the circuit which controls the actuation of the magnetic clutch between the roller sections Iii-l8, and the circuits in which the solenoids 59 are arranged. A push button will also be provided in the switch 62 for controlling the actuation of the electric motor 41.

In practice, the magnetic roller I1 is energized by the windings 2| and when placed in contact with an iron or steel surface such as shown at 60, the machine will adhere to the surface in the same manner that an ordinary steel or iron pin will adhere to a common horse shoe magnet. After energization of the magnetic roller, the motor 41 may be placed in operation, thus power will be transmitted to the traction roller to propel the machine in' the direction desired. The solenoids 59 are selectively controlled from the switch 62 so that an operator may cause the machine to move in either direction. At the same time the power is transmitted to the magnetized traction roller l1, the elements 31 are rotated in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 8. The scaling elements in the form of the chains 45 contact the metallic plates to scrape the same free of scale, which operation is often necessary preparatory to the painting of a metallic surface. After the scale has been removed in this manner, the brush attachment such as shown in Figure 10 may be substituted for the scaling elements, and which brushes may be of wire, for further cleaning of surface, or of paint brush materials, for painting the surface and may be employed to spread the paint which can be sprayed onto the metallic surface from jets 63 which extend transversely of the compartments l4-l4 and are disposed between the elements 31 and the adjacent partitions l3l3. The spray jets 63 are in the form of transversely disposed pipes having spaced openings therein. By reference to Figure 4 it will be seen that one of the ends of these pipes extends beyond one side of the machine and are provided with couplings 64 to which hoses (not shown) may be connected, and the hoses in turn may be operatively associated with a pressure supply of paint. The guard members l6 serve to protect the magnetic traction roller l1 from scalings which may be released from the metallic surface being worked upon.

' As before mentioned, when it is desired to steer the machine or turn the same, the magnetic clutch between the two roller sections I8 is deenergized for it will be recalled that only one of the roller sections Iii-l8 is directly driven from the power derived from the electric motor 41.

Although I have shown one system of gearing which connects the driven parts with the source of power produced by the electric motor 41, it will be understood that other systems which are capable of producing the same result may be resorted to and that the ra between the gears may be varied, depending upon the speed of operation desired.

The same principle of magnetized traction roller herein shown and described may be utilized in connection with a stationary support, whereby such type of roller may be used as a conveyor for propelling or feeding metallic sheets. This use of the invention is shown in Figure 11 of the drawings, wherein the machine is mounted on a support 55 with the open side of its shell body facing upward. In this position, the machine may be utilized in association with a processing unit in the treatment of metallic plates, one of which is shown as being fed by the magnetic roller and which plate is designated by the numeral 66. The magnetic roller not only conveys or feeds the plate passing over it but is capable of guiding the plate relative to any processing units with which it may be used.

Also, by reason of the gears and control means, the traction roller may be operated at various speeds and in reverse directions.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the most practical embodiments of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes and alterations as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.'

Having thus described the invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:-

1. A surfacing machine for use upon metallic surfaces comprising in combination, a chassis, a magnetic traction roller mounted on said chassis, said traction roller including two roller sections, means for simultaneously magnetizing both of said roller sections, means for releasably clutching said roller sections together to turn as a unit or to cause a differential turning movement between said roller sections, rotata ole surfacing means on said chassis, and motor driven means for simultaneously rotating one of said magnetized roller sections and said rotatable surfacing means.

2. A surfacing machine for use upon metallic surfaces comprising in combination, a chassis, a magnetic traction roller centrally mounted on said chassis, a pair of cylindrical members rotatably mounted on said chassis and respectively disposed on opposite sides of said traction roller for balancing the chassis, work surfacing elements on the peripheries of said cylindrical members, means for simultaneously rotating said cylindrical members in opposite directions, and means for selectively rotating said magnetic traction roller in either direction.

3. A surfacing machine for use upon metallic surfaces comprising in combination, a shell body open at one side, a pair of transverse partitions dividing said shell body into a pair of end compartments and an intermediate compartment, a pair of cylindrical surface work elements. said elements being respectively disposed in the end compartments and rotatably mounted in said shell body, an electrically magnetized traction roller disposed in said intermediate compartment and journaled in said shell body, the periphcries of said cylindrical surface elements and said traction roller extending beyond the plane of the open side of said shell body, and means carried by said shell body for simultaneously imparting rotation to said cylindrical work elements and said magnetized traction roller.

4. In a machine of the class described, a traction roller including two independent co-axially alined electro-magnetic roller sections, means for simultaneously energizing said magnetic roller sections, and a releasable electro-magnetic clutch for connecting said roller sections together to turn as a unit.

5. In a machine of the class described, a traction roller including two independent co-axially alined electro-magnetic roller sections, means for simultaneously energizing said magnetic roller sections, and a releasable electro-magnetic clutch for connecting said roller sections together to turn as a unit, and drive means operatively connected to one of said roller sections.

6. In a machine of the class described, a magnetic roller mounted in a stationary support and over which metallic plates are adapted to pass, said magnetic roller including two independent co-axially alined electro-magnetic roller sections. means for simultaneously energizing said magnetic roller sections, means for selectively causing said magnetic roller sections to turn as a unit or relative to each other to control the guiding of metallic plates passing over said magnetic roller, and means for rotatably driving one of said magnetic roller sections.

7. A machine for use upon metallic surfaces comprising in combination, a chassis, rotatable work surfacing elements mounted on said chassis, magnetic traction means mounted on said chassis including a L of axially alined magnetic rollers for tractive contact With a metallic surface to be Worked upon, means for energizing said magnetic rollers, means for simultaneously driving both of said magnetic rollers to cause the machine to travel in a straight ahead direction,

means for disconnecting the drive to one of said magnetic rollers to cause the same to idle during driving of the other magnetic roller to effeet a turning of the machine for steering purposes, and means for imparting rotation to said rotatable Work surfacing elements.

8. In a machine for use upon metallic surfaces having a chassis and surface working elements carried by said chassis, magnetic traction means for causing the machine to adhere to a metallic surface being worked upon including a pair of axially alined magnetic rollers, means for energizing said magnetic rollers, means for simultaneously driving both of said magnetic rollers in either direction of rotation to cause the machine to travel in a straight forward or backward direction, and means for disconnecting the drive to one of said magnetic rollers to cause the same to idle during driving of the other magnetic roller to effect a turning of the machine for steering purposes.

9. In a machine for use upon metallic surfaces having a chassis and surface working elements carried by said chassis, a pair of magnetic traction devices mounted on said chassis and respec- H tively disposed on opposite sides or the longitudinal axis thereof, means for energizing said magnetic traction devices, driving means for simultaneously operating both of said magnetic traction devices to cause the machine to travel in a posite sides 01' the longitudinal center thereof, remote control means for energizing and deenergizing said electro-magnetic traction devices, and selective remote control means for driving said electro-magnetic traction devices simultaneously or for driving one of said electro-magnetic devices relative to the other for respectively causing the machine to travel in a straight direction or to turn for guiding purposes.

' JOHN C. TEMPLE. 

